Dear SHAFR members,
I am writing with heavy heart to let you know that we will be cancelling our June 2020 conference and connected events (the Summer Institute and Second Book Workshop) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a terrible decision to have to make, because the Program Committee, co-chaired by Gretchen Heefner and Julia Irwin, put together a conference for the ages from a terrific pool of applications. The local arrangements committee, led by Gunter Bischof and Jana Lipman, also worked hard to make the conference a memorable one, as did our Conference Consultant, Amanda Bundy, and Executive Director, Amy Sayward. I realize that many of you have been eagerly anticipating this conference and share my disappointment. But Council is certain that this is the right decision given the gravity of the current global health crisis.
I would like to thank the Conference Contingency Task Force for its counsel over the past few weeks. I would like to offer particular thanks to the task force members who are now thinking through virtual options. We will keep you posted on that. Graduate student and other presenters should know that regardless of whatever virtual possibilities we may be able to offer, the official program has been set. You may list your acceptance onto the program on your cv.
If you have already booked your travel and hotel, you should be sure to cancel your reservations.
Looking forward, we will meet in Arlington, Virginia, in 2021 and hopefully New Orleans in 2022. My sadness at having to cancel our 2020 conference is tempered by the prospect of seeing you, safe and well, at future SHAFR events.
Kristin Hoganson
SHAFR President